Work Plan Implementation
(Working Paper)
SCS/75/WP/16
COVER
Engineering Aspects of Brackish Water Aquaculture in the South China Sea Region



TABLE OF CONTENTS



Indonesia
Malaysia
Philippines
Singapore
Thailand
Hong Kong

by

T.J. Jamandre, Jr.
Consultant

and

H. R. Rabanal
Fishery Officer (Aquaculture Development
South China Sea Fisheries Development and Coordinating Programme
Manila, Philippines

Project Document Identification

Work Plan Activity: 4(b)(i)

4.   The objective will be to establish a programme of action for aquaculture development through the improvement of cultural practices in existing areas in particular countries, and the development of new areas. The Work Plan will be implemented through a permanent South China Sea Programme staff member and consultants. The work of consultants will usually be carried out in the individual countries; there will also be desk studies and consultations as the Programme's headquarters. The work will commence in 1974, and will continue over five years of the Programme. The work will involve:

(b)   Determination of the extent and nature of areas in each country suitable for future expansion of aquaculture.

(i)   Determine the area of coastal regions suitable for development as farms, with suggestions for the best types of aquaculture in each area.

Specific activity :     Consultancy in brackish water aquaculture engineering/management

SOUTH CHINA SEA FISHERIES DEVELOPMENT AND COORDINATING PROGRAMME
Manila, September 1975


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

SUMMARY, RECOMMENDATIONS AND FOLLOW-UP ACTION

1. BACKGROUND

1.1 Status of aquaculture in the South China Sea area
1.2 Scope of subject
1.3 Period of study and area covered

2. FINDINGS

2.1 Indonesia

2.1.1 The Jepara and Bogor projects in Java
2.1.2 Irian Jaya
2.1.3 West Kalimantan
2.1.4 South Kalimantan
2.1.5 East Kalimantan
2.1.6 South Sulawesi
2.1.7 North Sulawesi
2.1.8 Jambi
2.1.9 South Sumatra
2.1.10 Bangka Islands, South Sumatra province

2.2 Malaysia

2.2.1 Penang area
2.2.2 Perlis
2.2.3 Kedah
2.2.4 Perak
2.2.5 Selangor
2.2.6 Negri Sembilan
2.2.7 MARDI - Malacca Project
2.2.8 Johore
2.2.9 Pahang
2.2.10 Trengganu
2.2.11 Kelantan

2.3 Philippines

2.4 Singapore

2.4.1 Changi Point Fisheries Complex
2.4.2 Shrimp trapping ponds
2.4.3 Site for brackish water experimental and demonstration aquaculture project (Golden Palace ponds)

2.5 Thailand

2.5.1 The Samutprakan shrimp culture project
2.5.2 Petchaburi private shrimp ponds
2.5.3 Prachuap Khirikhan Fisheries Station at Klong Wan
2.5.4 Central Prawn Culture Research and Training Station

2.6 Hong Kong

2.6.1 Au Tau Freshwater Fish Culture Station
2.6.2 The Tampak fishpond area
2.6.3 Fish cage culture
2.6.4 Sewage-fed and duck-cum aquaculture

3. DISCUSSIONS AND SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS

3.1 Indonesia

3.1.1 Selection of suitable sites
3.1.2 Environmental considerations in aquaculture development
3.1.3 Size of economically viable projects
3.1.4 The layout of brackish water fish farms
3.1.5 Gates and other water control structures
3.1.6 Fishpond dike construction
3.1.7 Clearing and levelling procedure
3.1.8 Water pumps and their use
3.1.9 Equipment and implements for construction and maintenance

3.2 Malaysia

3.2.1 Shrimps trapping and coastal private ponds
3.2.2 Selection of species and pond design
3.2.3 The release of areas and development
3.2.4 Selection of sites
3.2.5 MARDI Malacca Freshwater Fish Culture Station
3.2.6 The proposed government project site at Gelang Patah, Johore and other alternative sites

3.3 Philippines

3.3.1 Adequate construction specifications
3.3.2 Provisions for the drainage of flood waters
3.3.3 Preconstruction multi-disciplinary technical survey
3.3.4 Minimum economically viable unit

3.4 Singapore

3.4.1 Increasing production in shrimp trapping ponds
3.4.2 Layout and construction of the brackish water aquaculture experimental demonstration project (Golden Palace ponds)

3.5 Thailand

3.5.1 The need and use of water pumps
3.5.2 Possibility of raising finfish or polyculture of finfish and shrimps in brackish water ponds
3.5.3 Government Central Prawn Research and Training Station, Bangpakong, Chachoengsao

3.6 Hong Kong

3.6.1 Prevention of flooding at Au Tau Station
3.6.2 Design of fish cages
3.6.3 Environmental planning to prevent flooding and maximize utilization of available area for aquaculture expansion
3.6.4 Recycling of wastes through aquaculture

LIST OF ANNEXES AND FIGURES

ANNEX 1 Vital Statistics of Countries in the South China Sea Sub-Region

ANNEX 2 Status and Potential of Aquaculture in the South China Sea Sub-Region

ANNEX 3 A. Itinerary of T.J. Jamandre, Jr. - Consultant
B. Itinerary of H.R. Rabanal, SCSP Staff

ANNEX 4 List of Officials and Specialists Contacted

ANNEX 5 Equipment Management of Brackish Water Aquaculture Projects with Particular Attention to Water Pumps at the Jepara Indonesia Station

Figure 5 a - Details of Water Control Gate/Pump Set-up

Figure 5 b - Push or Propeller Type Pump Used in Thailand

ANNEX 6 Suggested Improvements for the West Kalimantan Shrimp Culture Demonstration Station

Figure 6 a - Present Layout of Government Shrimp Ponds at Mempawah, West Kalimantan

Figure 6 b - Suggested Revision of Layout of Mempawah Shrimp Experimental Ponds

Figure 6 c - Wooden Main Gate Construction

Figure 6 d - Details of Wooden Main Gate Construction (Preferably Boleden-Treated Wood and Copper or Galvanized Iron Nails)

ANNEX 7 Evaluation of Potential Aquaculture Sites Surveyed in Malaysia

ANNEX 8 Site for Government Brackish Water Experimental and Demonstration Fish Farm for West Malaysia

Figure 8 a - Sketch Plan of Proposed Brackish Water Aquaculture Experiment, Demonstration and Training Centre at Kuala Kerteh, Trengganu Malaysia (For 16.5 ha area)

Figure 8 b - Sketch Plan of Proposed Brackish Water Aquaculture Experiment, Demonstration and Training Centre at Kuala Kerteh, Trengganu Malaysia (For 27 ha area)

Figure 8 c - Suggested Inexpensive Trial Culture Ponds in East Coast of Malaysia

ANNEX 9 The Water Supply Pipes of the MARDI Batu Berendam Freshwater Fish Culture Station

Figure 9 a - Suggested Solution to Prevent Sagging of Main Water Suction Pipe, MARDI, Batu Berendam Ponds

ANNEX 10 Guidelines in Site Selection and Layout and Construction for Brackish Water Fish Farms

Figure 10 a - Main Water Control Gate of Reinforced Concrete

Figure 10 b - Use of Culvert Pipes as Secondary Gates

Figure 10 c - Cut-out Diagram of Culvert Pipe Construction as Secondary Gate

Figure 10 d - Secondary Wooden Gate

ANNEX 11 The Importance of Tides in the Selection of Sites and Management of Brackish Water Fish Farms

Figure 11 a - Determination of Suitability of Proposed Fishpond Sites Based on Tidal Supply as Affected by Elevation of the Area (Applicable Under Philippine Conditions)

Figure 11 b - Relationship between: 1. Pond Water Level, 2. Gate Size, and 3. Tidal Characteristics

ANNEX 12 Various Production Methods in Milkfish Culture and Their Engineering/Management Requirements

Figure 12 a - Layout of Chanos Culture Ponds Using the Progression Method

ANNEX 13 Fishpond Construction: Procedures and Innovations

Figure 13 a - Flat Boat for Fish Pond Use

Figure 13 b - Details of Flat Boat

Figure 13 c - Two ways of unloading Flat Boat

Figure 13 d - Perimeter Dike Construction

Figure 13 e - Stripping Method of Levelling

Figure 13 f - Work Depth Gauge

Figure 13 g - Two Kinds of Implements Used in Fishpond Construction

Figure 13 h - Three Types of Fishpond Digging Implements

ANNEX 14 A Tree Puller for Clearing Aquaculture Sites

Figure 14 a - Tree Puller

ANNEX 15 Suggestions for the Renovation of the Brackish Water Experimental and Demonstration Fish Farm in Singapore (Golden Palace Ponds)

Figure 15 a - Suggested Layout and Construction of Experimental Ponds (Golden Palace Ponds) (Singapore)

ANNEX 16 Flooding Problem at Au Tau Fish Culture Station, Hong Kong

Figure 16 a - Au Tau Fisheries Research Station

Figure 16 b - Crossectional views of Dikes Au Tau Station Hong Kong

ANNEX 17 Tentative Outline for Aquaculture Engineering Manual in Brackish Water Fish Farming for the South China Sea Countries

With the Compliments
of

H R. Rabanal
Fishery Officer (Aquaculture Development)
South China Sea Fisheries Development
and Coordinating Programme

South China Sea Fisheries
Development and CoordinatingArchitectural Centre
ProgrammsAyala Avenus
P.O. Box 1184, M C CMakati, Rizal
Makati, RizalTel. Nos.  85-25–36
Philippines 85-24–76

ENGINEERING ASPECTS OF BRACKISH WATER AQUACULTURE IN THE
SOUTH CHINA SEA REGION

by

T. J. Jamandre, Jr.
Consultant

and

H. R. Rabanal
Fishery Officer (Aquaculture Development)
South China Sea Fisheries Development and Coordinating Programme
Manila, Philippines

SUMMARY, RECOMMENDATIONS AND FOLLOW-UP ACTION

A. Summary

1. Present state. It can be said that the engineering aspect of brackish water aquaculture industry in the region has attained a level commensurate with the present capabilities of the countries where it is now practiced. In general, as a physical unit, existing projects are hardly adequate. Aquaculture farm engineering as an art (as perhaps at this stage it is more of an art than a technology) has been a product of long development and experience by the people in the industry themselves or without the contribution from organized research. It is only within very recent years that a limited amount of attention is being called to the importance of this phase of the industry.

2. Manpower and equipment. Due to the circumstances cited above the industry has not been utilizing much of labour-saving or mechanized equipment both for operation and construction. At present the industry is largely labour-intensive and depends on simple locally-devised equipment which have been developed through the years. Likewise the specialized manpower for construction and maintenance is localized and often very limited so that in many potential focal points of development this can be a major constraint.

3. Projects as engineering units. The physical make-up of brackish water aquaculture projects in the region are in general weak and inadequate as engineering structures, many of them are not geared to the production management for which they are established. For extensive type production in many developing areas of the region, present projects have served for the conduct of subsistence level operation where constant maintenance is being carried out. However, to maximize production; project design, proper layout and adequate construction specifications, etc. are required.

So far as known, on the engineering aspect, there are no policies or guidelines for the development of brackish water aquaculture projects in the region. Present centres do not show that consideration has been taken on the effect of the changes brought about by the project construction on the environment. For instance natural drainage basins have been constricted or actually blocked resulting in destructive flooding during the rainy period in some areas. In many cases also the necessary vegetation needed to be conserved as natural santuaries for wild stocks of various useful aquatic resources may have been completely eliminated. This can result in ecological imbalance under such modified environment.

4. Follow-up action. Generally it may be concluded that much follow-up action will be needed to emphasize the possible contribution of engineering knowledge for the improvement and acceleration of the brackish water aquaculture industry. Expertise on the subject has to be developed and trained. Initial expertise may be drawn from agricultural, hydraulic and related engineering specializations. New and better equipment need to be devised adaptable to the conditions of the sites for development. Besides, a corps of skilled manpower has to be developed. Much can be learned through group exchange of ideas such as those picked up in this report and through seminars, workshops and other forms of group training programmes. Subsequently a manual on the subject should be developed after the subject has been thoroughly investigated.

B. Recommendations1

1. Environmental planning in aquaculture development. Aquaculture development should be promoted and supported specially where there is high potential for this industry. In this development however proper consideration should be given to maintain environmental stability in the areas of development (Sections 3.1.2 and 3.3.2).

2. Selection of sites. Proper selection of sites for aquaculture development is essential to insure future success of aquaculture projects. To be able to do this more judiciously, the multiple weighted factor such the one devised for evaluating brackish water aquaculture sites in the Malaysian survey should be used (Section 3.2.4 and ANNEXES 7, 10 and 11).

3. Layout plan of aquaculture projects. Careful planning of the layout design of aquaculture projects is essential. To do this properly the objective of the project, condition of the site, species to be cultured, and nature of management operation planned, should be considered (ANNEXES 8 and 12).

4. Construction specifications of aquaculture projects. In planning aquaculture projects detailed description of adequate construction specifications should be provided. This will facilitate future management and minimize dangers from calamities (Section 3.3.1 and ANNEXES 10 and 13).

5. Construction of aquaculture projects. Actual construction of aquaculture projects should be closely supervised by competent and knowledgeable supervisors. This is to insure that the layout plans and construction specifications are properly executed and thus avoid future management problems (ANNEXES 10 and 13).

6. Mechanization of construction. For large scale development it is becoming more and more essential to make use of motorized heavy equipment (ANNEX 13). Investigations or fabrication of such equipment should be encouraged. Where mechanized construction is used, finishing work using skilled human labour usually follows so that labour developed in this industry is not necessarily displaced.

7. Equipment and implements used for aquaculture construction, maintenance and operations. A more comprehensive study of these equipment and implements presently used in aquaculture should be undertaken. This study should come up with recommendations on the best implements for use in aquaculture that has been developed in various countries in the region (ANNEXES 5, 13 and 14).

8. Production management methods and their engineering requirements. Engineering expertise should be used to support the type of production management desired in aquaculture projects (ANNEX 12).

9. Specific follow-up assistance needed in countries surveyed. A number of specific follow-up assistance involving aquaculture engineering are listed and described in this report (Section C). These should be pursued by the countries concerned or through appropriate external assisting agencies.

10. Training in aquaculture engineering. There is a scarcity of skilled manpower for aquaculture engineering. This report underscores the great need and even growing demand in the future for trained aquaculture engineers (Section C). Engineering fellowships and group training programmes in this field for personnel involved in aquaculture should be encouraged and supported.

11. National and regional seminars/workshops. In order to assess the problems, regional seminars or workshops by investigators and specialists in this field should be planned and implemented.

12. Manual on aquaculture engineering. As the knowledge on aquaculture engineering develops, efforts towards the development of a manual on this subject or manuals on its various aspects should be undertaken. A tentative outline specifically for “Aquaculture Engineering Manual for Brackish Water Fish Farms” is presented in this report (ANNEX 17).

1 Specific recommendations for the areas visited are included in pertinent sections and annexes of this report.

C. Follow-Up Action1

  Specific ActivitiesLocationStarting date and duration
1.INDONESIA
 (i)Installation of fixed water pumps and portable pumps and programming equipment managementJepara, East Java ProjectAs soon as possible for 1 month
 (ii)Supervising of revised layout and demonstrating the construction and and installation of improved wooden main water control gate for the provincial brackish water fish farmPontianak and Mempawah, West KalimantanOn release of budget, January 1976 for 1 month
 (iii)Survey and formulation of improved layout, construction and management of provincial brackish water demonstration fish farms at Pegatan and Pulau LautBanjarmasin, Pegatan and Pulau Laut, South KalimatanEarly 1976 for 2 weeks
 (iv)Selection of site, planning layout and construction specifications for an adequately large pilot brackish water demonstration fish farmBalikpapan, Samarinda and Sampoja, East KalimantanEarly 1976 for 1 month
 (v)Selection of site and planning layout and construction specifications of experimental brackish water substation for Inland Fisheries Research InstituteUjung Pandang and other areas in South SulawesiAs soon as possible for 1 month
 (vi)Selection of site and planning layout and construction specifications of regional freshwater fish hatchery and experimental and demonstration fish farmMenado and other areas in North SulawesiEarly 1976 for 1 1/2 months
 (vii)Visit site of provincial brackish water demonstration fish farm and plan improved layout and construction specificationsJambi province site of provincial brackish water demonstration fish farmAs soon as possible for 2 weeks
 (viii)a.  Survey alternative site for provincial brackish water demonstration fish farm and plan layout and construction specificationsVarious sites in South SumatraAs soon as possible for 1 month
  b.  Select site and make development plan for a pilot Macrobrachium culture stationVarious sites near Palembang, South SumatraAs soon as possible for 1 month
  c.  Survey and prepare aquaculture development plan for abandoned tin mining pools in Bangka and Belitung IslandsBangka and Belitung Islands, South SumatraAs soon as possible for 1 1/2 months
2.MALAYSIA
 (i)Final selection of site for brackish water experimental and demonstration fish farm for Peninsular Malaysia and preparation of complete development plan and programmeKuala Lumpur and various areas in West MalaysiaAs soon as possible for 2 months
 (ii)Aquaculture development survey of eastern states of MalaysiaSabah and Sarawak1 month, to be selected
3.PHILIPPINES
 (i)Selection of site and preparation of complete development plan for Macrobrachium hatchery and demonstration fish farmTo be located1 month, to be scheduled
 (ii)Area studies to formulate complete development plan of extensive swamplands identified for fishpond estate development scheme. (Engineer/ consultant and staff to prepare work programme for contracting consulting firm)Manila and site to be identifiedDuration depends on number of sites, to start as soon as possible
4.SINGAPORE
 (i)Oversee the implementation of development plan for the brackish water experimental and demonstration fish farm (Golden Palace Ponds)Singapore2 weeks, to be scheduled
5.THAILAND
 (i)Study and make recommendations for better methods of pumping water in shrimp farmsBangkok and sites of brackish water shrimp farms2 weeks to be scheduled
 (ii)Technical assistance in the implementation of the construction of the Macrobrachium culture centerBangkok and Bangpakong, Chachoengsao1 month, as soon as possible
6.HONG KONG
 (i)Survey and prepare aquaculture and environmental development plan for Tampak area (Consultant to prepare complete work programme for contracting consulting firm for above work)Hong Kong2 weeks, to be scheduled

1 Due to conditions prevailing during the period no study could be made for Khmer and Vietnam in this report.